Greeneville: Sphalerite Rockhounding in Greene County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Greeneville is a mapped rockhounding spot in Greene County, Tennessee. Reported finds include sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Greene County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Cedar Avenue
Postcode: 37744
Coordinates: 36.17949, -82.86510

Geology at Greeneville

This spot sits on Knox Group, including Jonesboro Limestone, Newala Formation, Mascot Dolomite, Kingsport Formation, Longview Dolomite, Chepultepec Dolomite, Copper Ridge Dolomite, Conococheague Limestone, mapped as limestone and dolostone that formed roughly 540 to 445 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit: Knox Group, including Jonesboro Limestone, Newala Formation, Mascot Dolomite, Kingsport Formation, Longview Dolomite, Chepultepec Dolomite, Copper Ridge Dolomite, Conococheague Limestone
Age: 540–445 Ma (Cambrian to Ordovician)
Rock types: limestone and dolostone
Elevation: 1,380 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Greeneville

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 47°F in winter to 87°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GREENEVILLE EXP STN station (5 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Greeneville

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Sphalerite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Greeneville.

Across the state line from Greeneville

Greeneville is close enough to the Tennessee border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Greeneville FAQ

Where is Greeneville?+

Greeneville is in Greene County, Tennessee, at 36.17949, -82.86510. Nearest road: Cedar Avenue.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Greeneville?+

Greeneville is reported to produce Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Greeneville?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Greeneville?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Greeneville?+

Greeneville is workable year-round.

How do I get to Greeneville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.17949, -82.86510 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Cedar Avenue.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

See all 59 Tennessee spots →

Open Greeneville on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.